Father Éric Ahissou died on 1 November 2026 while celebrating Mass in Cotonou. As the parish priest of Notre-Dame de la Visitation in the Gbèdagba neighborhood, he collapsed during the service. The congregation was observing the feast of All Saints, known locally as Toussaint, at the time of his death.
The incident occurred during the morning liturgy, an event that drew a significant number of parishioners to Notre-Dame de la Visitation. As Father Éric Ahissou presided over the rites associated with the feast of All Saints, he fell while at the altar. The medical emergency took place in the presence of the faithful gathered in the Gbèdagba neighborhood of Cotonou. The death of Father Éric Ahissou was confirmed shortly thereafter, marking a solemn end to the liturgical observance of Toussaint at the parish.
Life and Ministry Details
Born on 6 June 1978, Father Éric Ahissou dedicated his professional life to the Catholic Church in Bénin. Following years of theological formation, he reached the milestone of his holy orders on 4 August 2010. His service as an ordained priest spanned 16 years, during which he held various responsibilities before his assignment as the parish priest at Notre-Dame de la Visitation in Cotonou.
The trajectory of the life of Father Éric Ahissou was defined by his commitment to his vocation within the Catholic Church in Bénin. From his birth on 6 June 1978, he pursued a path that led him to enter the seminary. His formal preparation for the priesthood involved rigorous academic and spiritual training, which culminated in his ordination. On 4 August 2010, Father Éric Ahissou officially entered the priesthood, beginning a career of religious service that would last for 16 years.
Throughout his tenure as a member of the clergy, Father Éric Ahissou served in several capacities across the region. These roles preceded his final appointment as the parish priest of Notre-Dame de la Visitation. Located in the Gbèdagba area of Cotonou, this parish served as the site of his final ministry. As the parish priest, he was responsible for the spiritual guidance of the community and the administration of the sacraments.
The death of Father Éric Ahissou on 1 November 2026 occurred during the specific celebration of Toussaint, a date of significant importance to the Catholic Church in Bénin. The feast of All Saints is a day of obligation for the faithful, and the presence of Father Éric Ahissou at the altar of Notre-Dame de la Visitation was part of his regular duties. Witnesses at the scene noted that the collapse happened while the Mass was in progress. The transition from the celebration of the feast to the sudden death of the priest left the congregation in the Gbèdagba neighborhood in a state of mourning. His 16 years of service as an ordained priest are now remembered by the community he served in Cotonou.
